1967 Flashback Mustang Classic Design Concept - Time Warped

Classic Design Concepts' '67 Flashback MustangMeet the Flashback, Classic Design Concepts' best-of-both-worlds fusion of iconic ponycar design with thoroughly modern comforts and the latest in muscle mechanicals. Think '67 fastback with all the power and efficiency that four intervening decades of progress have wrought, mixed with eye-opening braking, agility, interior ergonomics, and astonishing build quality. Oh, and we think it looks pretty good, too. Perhaps best of all is the fact that CDC will build you your very own Flashback, and after we get done telling you about not just the nuts and bolts of this amazing project, but also the amount of creative, real-world practicality that went into its design and development, you'll be selling off some of those boring investments and standing in line with the rest of us.

It all began with a Dynacorn unibody shell and the innovative mind of CDC boss George Huisman. It was actually one of two Dynacorn-based projects that his company built for the 2007 SEMA show in Las Vegas (the other was a near-stock-appearing representation of a '67 GT, powered by one of Ford Racing's Boss 347 crate engines spinning through a Tremec TKO-500 five-speed). The Flashback, however, is the one on which Huisman let his considerable imagination run wild-and which won SEMA's "Best of Show: Outstanding Achievement in Design" award.

One of the burning questions as the Flashback project got underway was whether a four-valve modular could be made to live-and run-within the underhood confines of the '67 engine bay (and not just any old four-valve modular). When Ford Racing Performance Parts made the decision to offer the Shelby GT500's blown and intercooled DOHC 5.4L as a crate engine (in this case, boosted even more with FRPP's supercharger upgrade kit, for a rated 605 hp), the die was cast-the Flashback had to have one. And so it does, but the challenges of fitting this huge-headed behemoth between the shock towers and making its all-seeing, all-knowing engine-control processor talk nicely with the rest of the car's wiring harnesses and gauge cluster were considerable, as you might imagine. But, man, they did it, and you can see from our engine shot that the installation is ultra-sanitary. What you can't see is that, behind the blown modular is a Viper-spec T56 six-speed from D&D Performance (production variants will instead use the GT500's factory Tremec TR-6060 six-speed).

Compared to the modular drivetrain, fitting the Flashback's three-link rear and coilover front suspension was child's play-especially since the complete Phase 4 package from RRS of Australia was engineered to bolt right up to an early Mustang. The Phase 4 rear suspension employs a lengthy torque arm and Watt's link for precise control of the Currie 9-inch axle (with 3.70 ring and pinion and TrueTrac diff) that is end-capped with hulking 13.2-inch discs. These wear six-piston calipers, as do the massive front 14-inch rotors; all are from RRS. The brake/clutch pedal assembly is another RRS piece, complete with mechanical linkages, hydraulic clutch cylinder, integrated brake master cylinder, and vacuum booster.

How well does this sophisticated chassis work? Well, you can forget the handling characteristics of any classic Mustang you may have experienced-this 21st-century hardware creates a platform that will chase down and steal the lunch of practically anything else it might possibly encounter on the street or road course. Some of this prowess is owed to the RRS power rack-and-pinion steering, and of course the massive and sticky 18-inch rolling stock doesn't hurt, either.

But at the same time, you can also forget any thoughts about the Flashback being a high-strung race car. Its street manners are impeccable, and the interior is a finely crafted exercise in upscale materials and amenities, enhanced by creative thinking and careful fabrication. Sliding behind the leather-wrapped tilt wheel, the very first question that comes to mind is, "Why do I have so much leg- and headroom?" The answer is that CDC re-engineered the floorpan to provide for an amazing 6.5 inches more fore/aft seat travel, and 2 inches more headroom than an original '67 Mustang. I'm a couple of inches over 6 feet and couldn't begin to slide my seat all the way rearward-and still operate the pedals, anyway. I also had an inordinate amount of room between my noggin and the custom-crafted headliner. Those in the NFL and NBA will surely rejoice. The buckets themselves-power on the driver side-are based on SN-95 Mustang GT units, re-skinned in contrasting-stitched leather with Comfortweave-style inserts. The fold-down rear seat is upholstered to match, as are the door panels with their integral power lock switches (the power window switches are on the custom console just forward of its stitched-leather armrest). The street credentials are confirmed by the presence of a Vintage Air electronic HVAC system, along with a Rockford Fosgate-amplified JVC sound system with a quartet of speakers and 12-inch subwoofer. The cabin, we should point out, is thoroughly cocooned in Dynamat sound- and heat-attenuating material.

Outside, the look is not unlike a '67 fastback that has spent plenty of time in the gym getting all pumped and buff. Yet the Flashback also has a much less boy-racer appearance than many of the recent Dynacorn-based projects we've seen. The tasteful combination of Pearl Blue paint and Vintage Gold stripes and accents is more understated than in-your-face. Same with the CDC-designed front and rear fascias, grille, hood and functional sidescoops. Production Flashbacks, by the way, will get a hood redesigned for a lower profile while still retaining the functional heat extraction vents.

Of course, you can have yours in any color you'd like. And you can save quite a few of those boring investments by opting for a Ford Racing Boss 347 stroker crate engine and Tremec five-speed combination, instead of the notably pricier GT500 mill with its six-speed. In case you need any convincing, let's just say that about the only thing better than looking at the Flashback is driving it. Now, go talk to your broker!